Ofahengaue, Taumalolo and Fifita all feature in Tongan team

Brisbane forward Joe Ofahengaue has been chosen to represent Tonga for their Pacific Test showdown with Samoa next Saturday, which indicates Queensland have not selected him in their squad for the second State of Origin match.

Ofahengaue was considered a strong chance of being called up by the Maroons after a string of powerhouse performances for the Broncos but he has been named in a star-studded Tongan side alongside the likes of Sharks prop Andrew Fifita and Cowboys lock Jason Taumalolo.

Warriors duo David Fusitu’a (foot) and Solomone Kata (hamstring) were ruled out because of injury, along with Broncos second-rower Tevita Pangai jnr, who has a rib complaint.

Tonga will take on Samoa at Campbelltown Stadium as part of a double-header which also features Fiji taking on Papua New Guinea.

Coach Kristian Woolf said he would likely add more players to the 17-Tongan man squad later in the week.